Customizable Grain Bowl (Print Version)

Layer wholesome grains, proteins, and crisp vegetables in a nourishing bowl. Customize with your favorite toppings and dressings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup cooked brown rice
02 - 1 cup cooked quinoa
03 - 1 cup cooked farro
04 - 1 cup cooked couscous, gluten-free if needed

→ Proteins

05 - 1 cup cooked chicken breast, cubed
06 - 1 cup baked tofu, cubed
07 - 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 cup cooked shrimp

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
11 - 1 cup roasted sweet potato, cubed
12 - 1 cup steamed broccoli florets
13 - 1 cup shredded carrots
14 - 1 avocado, sliced

→ Toppings and Extras

15 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
16 - ¼ cup toasted seeds or nuts, such as pumpkin seeds or almonds
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley
18 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

→ Dressings

19 - ¼ cup lemon-tahini dressing
20 - ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette
21 - ¼ cup soy-ginger dressing
22 - ¼ cup green goddess dressing

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Cook grains according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and allow to cool slightly before assembly.
02 - Prepare your selected protein by cooking, baking, or using prepared leftovers as desired.
03 - Wash and chop all vegetables. Roast or steam vegetables as preferred until tender.
04 - Layer cooked grains as the base in each serving bowl. Arrange selected proteins and vegetables on top.
05 - Sprinkle sesame seeds, fresh herbs, toasted nuts or seeds, and feta cheese if using over the vegetables.
06 - Drizzle your chosen dressing over the bowl immediately before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • You can literally eat the same base all week and have a different bowl every single day.
  • Most of the components can be made ahead, which means actual time in the kitchen is minimal even on busy mornings.
  • It works for anyone at your table—vegetarians, pescatarians, people avoiding gluten—without needing to cook separate meals.
02 -
  • If you're meal prepping, the dressing is the one thing that absolutely needs to stay separate or your carefully chopped vegetables will weep and the whole thing gets sad by Wednesday.
  • Hot grains mixed with cold vegetables is actually perfect—that temperature contrast makes every bite more interesting than if everything matched.
03 -
  • If you're tired of your go-to grain, try mixing two different ones together—the texture variation keeps things interesting without doubling your cooking time.
  • Toasted seeds and nuts are non-negotiable; they're the entire reason a grain bowl doesn't feel like sad health food, they're what makes it actually craveable.
Go Back